Alcohol regulations in Ajman

Licences needed

Not available / not permitted for commercial distilled spirits

Authority

Ajman Department of Economic Development (Ajman DED) and Ajman Police GHQ

Documents

Not confirmed

Fees

Not confirmed

Time to obtain

Not confirmed

Who can import

Only specialized corporate entities holding a valid liquor trading and import permit issued by local police authorities and registered with customs

Licences or registrations

Commercial Trade Licence with liquor trading activity, Police Security Clearance/CID Liquor Permit, and Customs Importer Registration Code

Authority

Ajman Port and Customs and Ajman Police GHQ

Documents

Valid commercial trade licence, police NOC/CID liquor authorization permit, warehouse approval, customs client code registration, and commercial invoice/packing list

Fees

Customs code and clearance administrative fees apply; specific permit tariff not publicly published

Time to obtain

Several weeks to months depending on CID security vetting

Required: no Process: Alcoholic beverages are exempt from the standard UAE national food registration systems (such as ZAD/FIRS); no separate brand/label pre-approval is required beyond compliance with country-of-origin standards…

Imports must be executed by authorized licensed distributors acting as the importer of record. Consignments require import permits/manifest release via Ajman Port and Customs, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and…

50% customs duty ad valorem calculated on CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value under Chapter 22 (HS 2208) as per the GCC Common Customs Tariff.

Spirits are subject to 5% UAE standard Value Added Tax (VAT). The UAE Federal Excise Tax excludes alcoholic beverages (it applies solely to tobacco, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages). Unlike Dubai or Abu Dhabi, Ajman does…

Private licensed retailers operate large off-licence bottle shops (such as Unisat Ajman and Oscar) that sell directly to consumers without requiring a personal liquor license, unlike historical rules in Dubai. On-premise sales…

Allowed within Ajman emirate; authorized retailers (e.g., Unisat Ajman) provide home delivery within emirate borders for adult non-Muslim consumers aged 21 and above subject to minimum order thresholds. Cross-emirate delivery…

Special UAE Arabic labeling is not mandatory for alcoholic beverages; imported bottles may retain country-of-origin labels and English text indicating brand name, product class, net volume, origin, and alcohol by volume (ABV).

Banned; public advertising, billboard displays, and mass-media promotions of alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited across the UAE under federal media laws and the UAE Penal Code. Promotion is limited to point-of-sale…

Ajman adheres to GCC and UAE MoIAT general standards, deferring to internationally recognized standards of identity from the country of origin (e.g., minimum 40% ABV for standard distilled spirits such as whisky, vodka, rum, and…

Public consumption of alcohol (streets, beaches, parks) and public intoxication are strictly illegal across Ajman and subject to penal sanction. Consumption is restricted to licensed venues and private residences. Driving through…

Continued enforcement of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021 (Penal Code) and Federal Decree-Law No. 15 of 2020 confirming the federal minimum purchase and drinking age of 21 and the decriminalization of personal consumption in…

Ajman serves as a high-volume liquor retail hub for northern UAE expatriates due to the absence of personal retail buyer licensing and local municipal retail taxes, creating robust demand for imported international spirits…

1. BSB Legal - UAE Alcohol Laws 2025: Federal and Local Regulations
2. USDA Foreign Agricultural Service - UAE Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards
3. Flanders Investment & Trade - Alcoholic Beverages Market UAE
4. PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - United Arab Emirates: Corporate - Other Taxes
5. Commitbiz - Alcohol Trading License in UAE